Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or Drake London

Thursday, September 4, 2:14 PM

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper has informed the team that he intends to retire ahead of Week 1, citing a lack of desire to continue playing. Cooper, who joined the Raiders this offseason in hopes of competing for a starting role, was listed behind rookie Dont'e Thornton Jr. on the initial depth chart. The five-time Pro Bowler spent last season with the Browns and Bills, starting 10 of 14 games while recording 44 catches for 547 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper leaves the NFL after a decorated career, finishing with over 10,000 receiving yards and 64 touchdowns across stops with the Raiders, Cowboys, Browns, and Bills. His departure opens additional opportunities for Thornton and fellow rookie Jack Bech to carve out meaningful roles in the Raiders' passing game this season.

Tuesday, September 16, 1:39 PM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London caught three of his four targets in Sunday's 22-6 win over the Vikings, totaling 49 yards receiving in the contest. With only four targets, it would seem he was not heavily involved, but no other pass catcher was targeted more than five times in a game where the team relied heavily on the run. While London's position as the No. 1 option in the passing attack is not in question, his average depth of target thus far in 2025 is something to keep an eye on. The former first-round draft pick held a 10.8 aDOT (average depth of target) in 2024 and an even higher 12.67 aDOT in the final three games where Michael Penix Jr. was under center. However, through two games in 2025, he owns just a 6.94 aDOT and 9.5 yards per reception. If that trend holds, it could be a challenge for the 24-year-old to get back to the 1000-yards receiving threshold this year. With a matchup against Carolina in Week 3, the Falcons may lean on the ground game again, which would again limit the upside of the receiving corps and, if shorter targets persist, put London further behind the eight ball.